Propelling attachment for a boat



April 16, 1968 K. L. GUSTINE PROPELLING ATTACHMENT FOR A BOAT v Filed May 27, 1966 s M 2 4 2 n 7 0 (O 4 3 M w ld mw V: n m 2 4 n, v w w W 2 0 ,0 2 2 .0 0

8 M '1 J M Q WHEN/UR KENNETH l ELIEJTINE ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,377,976 PROPELLING ATTACHMENT FOR A BOAT Kenneth Lamar Gustine, 2601 SW. 13th Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33315 Filed May 27, 1966, Ser. No. 559,662 5 Claims. (Cl. 115-25) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A propelling attachment for a boat comprising a T- shaped stabilizer for connecting the propelling attachment to the gunnels and the bow of the boat, a propeller connected to a support member, a steering seat facing the bow of the boat for rotating the propeller support member in order to steer the boat, a foot powered crank between the seat and the propeller support member connected to the propeller for propelling the boat through the water.

This invention relates to an attachment for boats, and more particularly to a non-complex manual means for propelling and steering a boat.

As is perhaps well known, many manual propelling and steering devices have been designed for small boats. A number of portable propelling and steering devices have been utilized to move small boats through the water. Fishermen have used these portable devices to propel and steer a small boat while fishing. The device replaces an oarsman, allowing a fisherman to handle his fishing gear, as well as to propel and steer the boat.

In the past numerous power propulsion devices have been provided for guiding small boats, but many power units move the boat too rapidly through the water, or make undesirable noise, or require heavy power supply units. The known manual propelling and steering devices are also heavy, complex in design, diflicult to handle and costly to produce.

The present invention relates to a new and improved manually operated portable propelling and steering device for small boats. In the preferred embodiment a plurality of adjustable stabilizer means are connected together with boat connecting or attaching means adjacent the distal ends of the stabilizer means. The stabilizer means supports the propelling and steering mechanism on the gunnels of a small boat. A pedal device and propeller are connected to the stabilizer means. A flexible shaft is connected between the pedal device and propeller to propel the boat through the water. A seat is rotatably connected to the stabilizer means for movement in a generally horizontal plane for steering the boat by orienting the propeller.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a new and improved manually operated, detachable, means of motion for a boat, utilizing a flexible propeller shaft and a seat steering device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device with a plurality of stabilizer members pivotally connected and radially extending from the steering column, these members being foldable when not in use.

A still further object is to provide in the detachable manually operated means for propelling the boat, means of extending the stabilizer members and flexible shafts to fit boats of various sizes.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a noncomplex, removable, light weight, manually operated, boat steering and propelling device at nominal production costs.

Representative embodiments of this invention are herein presented, but it will, of course, be appreciated that the invention is susceptible of incorporation in still other forms coming equally within the scope of the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawing In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is 'a perspective view of the propelling attachment for a boat;

FIGURE 2 shows the propelling attachment in a collapsed position.

Description of the preferred embodiment Referring now in detail to the drawing, wherein an embodiment of the invention is shown, and referring particularly, to FIGURE 1, the propelling attachment for the 'boat, shown in dotted lines, is attached to the forward portion of the boat 4. A seat 6 is connected to the foot member 2 resting on the bottom of the boat. The seat 6 is rotatably connected Within collar member 8 at the end of column 10. The other end of column 10 is connected to the foot member 2. A pulley 12 is connected to the seat extension 14 for steering the boat 4. The pulley 12 rotates pulley 16 by means of a belt 18 passing through tube 20. The boat may be directed toward a desired point by rotating the seat 6 in order to rotate the propeller mounting member 22 and propeller 24 in the proper direction.

The seat supporting column 10' is held in an upright position by the T-shaped stabilizer having arms 26 and 28 and extendable arm 30. Arms 26 and 28 are connected to the upper edge of the transom of the boat 4 by clamping members 32 and '34. Extendable arm 30 is connected to the front of the boat by a hook 36. The book 36 is placed under the bow plate of the boat 4. The extendable arm 30 and the clamping members 32 and 34 may be adjusted in order to fit the stabilizer to a particular size boat. The extendable arm 30 and the clamping members 32 and 34 may be fixed in a particular position by tighteniug a wing nut, 'as shown at 38.

In order to propel the boat a foot powered crank 40 is connected to the extendable arm 30 by column 42. The crank 40 is placed between the seat 6 and the bow of the boat 4. The crank 40 has two pedals 44 extendin-g therefrom with a gear 46 connected to one end of a crank arm. Gear 46 drives gear 48 attached to flexible shaft 50 in order to rotate the flexible shaft. The flexible shaft is connected directly to propeller 24 at the lower end of propeller mounting member 22.

In use when a fisherman sits on seat 6, he may propel the 'boat by rotating the crank with his feet in either a forward or rearward direction, 'and he may steer the boat by rotating seat '6 in the direction of desired movement. The fisherman may propel and steer the boat without using his hands.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention. Therefore, the instant invention is not to be limited to the details discussed herein but to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent apparatus and articles.

I claim:

1. A removable, manually operated, boat steering and stabilizer means having a bow portion for supporting to said bow portion of said stabilizer means, and connecting the steering and propelling device to the bow of a boat,

a foot powered crank connected to said stabilizer means,

a propeller support member having one end connected to said bow portion of said stabilizer means,

a propeller connected to the other end of said propeller support member,

a flexible drive shaft having one end connected to said crank and the other end connected to said propeller for propelling the 'boat,

a steering seat connected to said stabilizer for rotatable movement in a generally horizontal plane, said seat facing and connected to said propeller support member for steering the boat by rotating said seat in said generally horizontal plane.

2. A removable, manually operated, boat steering and propelling device comprising,

stabilizer means for supporting and connecting the steering and propelling device to a boat, said stabilizer means including a plurality of legs generally in the form of a T with at least two legs having transom clamping means adjacent to the distal ends thereof,

a foot powered crank connected to said stabilizer means,

a propeller support member having one end connected to said stabilizer means,

a propeller connected to the other end of said propeller support member,

a flexible drive shaft having one end connected to said crank and the other end connected to said propeller for propelling the boat, and

V a steering seat supported by said stabilizer for rotatable movement in a generally horizontal plane, said seat connected to said propeller support member for steering the boat by rotating said seat in said generally horizontal plane.

3. A removable, manually operated, boat steering and propelling device in accordance with claim 2, wherein said seat is connected adjacent the junction of the legs of said stabilizer means, and said foot powered crank is connected to the trunk leg of the T-shaped stabilizer legs. 4. A removable, manually operated, boat steering and propelling device in accordance with claim 3, wherein at least two legs are pivotally connected at the junction of the legs. 5. A removable, manually operated, boatsteering and propelling device in accordance with claim 4, wherein at least two legs of said stabilizer means are adjustable in length.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,093,196 4/1914 Lombardi 114144 2,775,950 1/ 1-957 Dearmond 115-25 ,244,13 6 4/ 1966 Yarhrough 115-25 ANDREW H. FARRELL, Primary Examiner. 

